WISH London: Housing sector in turmoil - how are we coping?

Housing Sector in turmoil - how are we coping?

Housing quality and resident satisfaction dominated 2022, in 2023 it is a challenge we must face together. 

Date: April 20th 2023

Time: 5.30-8pm

Venue: Guiness Partnership's Head Office, 30 Brock Street, Regent’s Place, London NW1 3FG

Our host Hony Premlal will be talking to Tracey Downie, Helen Evans, and Susan Faridi, 3 dynamic CEO’s from across the sector who are leading their organisations through these complex challenges;  the cost of living, poor resident satisfaction, damp and  mould, fire safety, employee recruitment and retention and new regulation etc. 

This is a great opportunity to gather new ideas and create networks with sector colleagues so we can all rise to these new challenges. 

This event will be hosted by Hony Premlal, CIHCM, MBA (Interim Managing Director, Parasol Homes) & WISH Co-Chair.

Kindly sponsored by Guinness Homes and Campbell Tickell

Looking forward to seeing you all on April 20th.

Our Speakers

Helen Evans, Chief Executive @ Network Housing Group

Helen Evans has worked in social housing for over 35 years, her own career starting as a Neighbourhood Officer and working in several London Local Authorities. She joined Network Housing Group in 2010 and became the Chief Executive in September 2011. Since then the Group (now known as Network Homes) has established itself as a top developing housing association and transformed its operating model and performance.

Helen was the Chair of the G15 group of London’s largest housing associations between 2019 and 2021 being the first woman to Chair this group. She was also Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust and was a Trustee of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation until June 2022. She is on the Board of the South London and Maudsley NHS trust fulfilling a long held ambition to work with the NHS.   

Tracey Downie, Chief Executive @ Women's Pioneer

Tracy joined Women’s Pioneer as Chief Executive in 2022. She was previously Executive Director of Housing Management at Homes for Haringey and brings over 25 years’ experience in the housing sector primarily working in London-based housing associations with a commitment to resident engagement, community development and challenging inequality.

She brings a wealth of experience from past senior, executive and non-executive roles to her role as CEO. Tracey mentors through the Future of London Leaders programme and is Board Chair of Ekaya Housing Association.

Susan Faridi, Chief Executive @ Eldon Housing 

Susan has over 30 years’ experience working in social care and supported housing, working for local authorities, charitable organisations, and housing associations. Susan has extensive leadership experience in supported, sheltered and extra care housing and development. She also has wide-ranging experience in charity management and governance.

Prior to Susan’s current role as the Chief Executive for Eldon Housing Association, she was the Chief Executive for The Finchley Charities, a registered provider and Almshouse charity, providing sheltered housing and grant giving to community and charitable groups as well as to individuals in hardship. Before this, Susan was the Director of Services at Stoll, a military charity and housing association providing supported housing and a range of services to veterans and those transitioning from the British Armed Forces.

Susan was also a group Board member and Chair of the Care Board at Hill Homes, a housing association providing sheltered and Extra Care Housing.